Liquid crystal display

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate, a gate line disposed on the first substrate and extending parallel to a major horizontal reference line of the display, and a plurality of pixel unit cells disposed on and tesslating a display area of the first substrate where each unit cell includes a first field generating electrode and a second field generating electrode with an insulating layer interposed therebetween, wherein a first one of the first and second field generating electrodes has a plurality of cutouts defined therein for producing corresponding liquid crystal domains, the plurality of cutouts each including a first inclined edge portion forming a first angle with the vertical reference line and a second inclined edge portion forming a second angle with the vertical reference line that is different from the first angle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/502,658 filed on Jul. 3, 2019, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/981,412filed on May 16, 2018 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,353,252), which is acontinuation application of U.S. Patent Application No. 15/132,101 filedon Apr. 18, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,995,974), which is a continuationapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/844,798 filed on Mar.16, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,316,873), which claims priority to and thebenefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0096595 filed in theKorean Intellectual Property Office on Aug. 31, 2012, the contents ofthe prior applications being herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND (a) Field of Disclosure

The present disclosure of invention relates to a liquid crystal display,and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display having increasedtransmittance and reduced deterioration of a display quality.

(b) Description of Related Technology

The liquid crystal display (LCD) is currently one of the most widelyused types of flat panel displays. Generally the LCD is a display deviceused for adjusting magnitude of a transmitted therethrough light byapplying a voltage between electrodes so as to rearrange liquid crystalmolecules of a liquid crystal layer and thus impart desired opticaleffects (e.g., modulated polarity) to the transmitted through light.

The liquid crystal display has a merit in that it is easy to form asstriped or otherwise matrix like repeated groups of differently coloredsubpixels, but it has a drawback in that a lateral visibility of itsimage is lower than a frontal visibility. Accordingly, various methodsof arranging and driving liquid crystal to have different domains havebeen developed to overcome the drawback. A liquid crystal display wherea pixel electrode and a common electrode are formed on one substrate hasreceived attention as a method of implementing a wide viewing angle.

In the liquid crystal display, at least one of two field generatingelectrodes of the pixel electrode and the common electrode has aplurality of cutouts for thereby defining different liquid crystaldomains, and a plurality of branch electrodes defined by a plurality ofcutouts.

Meanwhile, if a fluidic pressure wave is generated in one of thecutouts, for example due to impact applied from the outside of theliquid crystal display, the wave spreads easily along the channel of astraight cutout and a corresponding irregular behavior of liquid crystalmolecules occurs where the irregular behavior of the liquid crystalmolecules easily spreads along the entire length of the cutout of thefield generating electrode. It is possible to prevent such easyspreading (propogation) of irregular pattern behavior of the liquidcrystal molecules by variously forming angles in pattern of the cutouts(e.g., as measured relative to a vertical standard line).

However, an aperture size of each pixel area of the liquid crystaldisplay may be reduced due to introduction of such angles and; as aresolution of the liquid crystal display is increased by decreasing thesizes of all pixel areas, a corresponding aperture transmittance factorof the liquid crystal display is deteriorated by such forming of theangle between the cutout and the vertical standard line where data linesand gate lines of the device extend according to straight lines andswitching elments (TFTs) are disposed in corner portions of such pixelunit cell structures.

It is to be understood that this background of the technology section isintended to provide useful background for understanding the heredisclosed technology and as such, the technology background section mayinclude ideas, concepts or recognitions that were not part of what wasknown or appreciated by those skilled in the pertinent art prior tocorresponding invention dates of subject matter disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure of invention provides a liquid crystal displaycapable of having a high resolution (e.g., 200 or more pixel areas perinch) in which the basic repeat pattern of pixel electrodes, commonelectrode and switching element is structured as bounded by twoidentical parallelograms, one flipped vertically and stacked with itsbase directly on top of the roof of its twin and then a rectangle with asame width as the base stacked directly under or on top of the twoparallelograms, where the switching element is substantially containedin the rectangle. This forms a repeated unit cell and then angles ofinclined straight edges within cutout areas of the unit cell areadjusted so as to simultaneously provide for reduced degradation toimage quality due to extrnal pressure shocks and increased transmittanceof backlighting light through the respective unit cells.

In one embodiment, two field generating electrodes are formed on a sameone substrate and at least one of the two field generating electrodes ispatterned to have a muliply-bent cutout, such that the multple bendsalong the fluid flow directing channel of the cutout prevent directpropogation of fluid pressure waves linearly along the full length ofthe cutout and thus irregular behaviors of liquid crystal moleculesaccording to external pressures are inhibited from easily moving alongthe entire cutout. The basic two parallelograms plus rectangle shape andspecific bend angles of the cutouts also help to prevent deteriorationof a backlighting transmittance efficiency of the liquid crystaldisplay.

An exemplary embodiment provides a liquid crystal display including: afirst substrate, a gate line disposed on the first substrate andsubstantially extending parallel to a horizontal reference line (Xaxis), and a plurality of repeated pixel unit cells disposed on thefirst substrate and each including a first field generating electrodeand a second field generating electrode with an insulating layerinterposed therebetween, wherein one of the first and second fieldgenerating electrodes has a plurality of cutouts, where the plurality ofcutouts each includes a first inclined edge portion forming a firstangle with a vertical reference line (Y axis), the latter forming anangle of 90° with the horizontal reference line (X axis) of the gateline and where each cutout further includes a second inclined edgeportion forming a second angle with the vertical reference line (Y axis)that is different from the first angle, where a ratio of a verticallength of the first inclined edge portion to a vertical length of thecutout is about 80% or more but less than 100%, and density of theplurality of pixels is about 200 PPI (pixels per inch) or more. Here,the vertical length is measured along the vertical reference line (Yaxis).

A ratio of a vertical length of the second inclined edge portion to thevertical length of the cutout may be about 6% to about 13% .

The second angle may be larger than the first angle.

The cutout may further include a third inclined edge portion forming athird angle with the vertical reference line (Y axis) that is differentfrom the first angle, and a ratio of a vertical length of the thirdinclined edge portion to the vertical length of the cutout may be about10% or less.

The third angle may be larger than the first angle.

A value obtained by multiplying a sum of the ratio of the verticallength of the second inclined edge portion to the vertical length of thecutout and the ratio of the vertical length of the third inclined edgeportion to the vertical length of the cutout by a vertical length of thepixel may be about 20 μm or less.

A value obtained by multiplying the ratio of the vertical length of thesecond inclined edge portion to the vertical length of the cutout or theratio of the vertical length of the third inclined edge portion to thevertical length of the cutout by the vertical length of the pixel isabout 5 μm or less.

The horizontal length of the pixel unit cell may be about 40 μm or lessand a vertical length thereof may be about 120 μm or less.

The other one of the first and second field generating electrodes mayhave a plate shape such that it has essentially no cutouts for producingdifferent liquid crystal domains.

Another exemplary embodiment provides a liquid crystal displayincluding: a first substrate, a gate line disposed on the firstsubstrate, and a plurality of pixel unit cells disposed on the firstsubstrate and each including a first field generating electrode and asecond field generating electrode overlapping with an insulating layerinterposed therebetween, wherein a first one of the first and secondfield generating electrodes has a plurality of cutouts, each of theplural cutouts includes a first inclined straight edge portion forming afirst angle with a vertical reference line, the latter forming an angleof ° with a corresponding horizontal reference line to which the gateline generally extends parallel to, a second inclined straight edgeportion forming a second angle with the vertical reference line that islarger than the first angle, and a third inclined straight edge portionforming a third angle with the vertical reference line that is largerthan the first angle, and where a value obtained by multiplying a sum ofa ratio of a vertical length of the second inclined straight edgeportion to a vertical length of the cutout and a ratio of a verticallength of the third inclined straight edge portion to the verticallength of the cutout by a vertical length of the pixel is about 20 μm orless.

The density of the plurality of pixels may be about 200 PPI or more.

Yet another exemplary embodiment provides a liquid crystal displayincluding: a first substrate, a gate line disposed on the firstsubstrate, and, a plurality of pixels disposed on the first substrateand including a first field generating electrode and a second fieldgenerating electrode with an insulating layer interposed therebetween,wherein a first one of the first and second field generating electrodeshas a plurality of cutouts, the plurality of cutouts each including afirst inclined edge portion forming a first angle with a verticalreference line, the latter forming an angle of 90° with the gate line, asecond inclined edge portion forming a second angle with the verticalreference line that is larger than the first angle, and a third portionforming a third inclined edge angle with the vertical reference linethat is larger than the first angle, and where a value obtained bymultiplying a ratio of a vertical length of the second inclined edgeportion to a vertical length of the cutout or a ratio of a verticallength of the third inclined edge portion to the vertical length of thecutout by a vertical length of the pixel is about 5 μm or less.

Still another exemplary embodiment provides a liquid crystal displayincluding: a first substrate, a gate line disposed on the firstsubstrate, and a plurality of pixels disposed on the first substrate andeach including a first field generating electrode and a second fieldgenerating electrode overlapping with an insulating layer interposedtherebetween, wherein any one of the first field generating electrodeand the second field generating electrode has a plurality of cutouts,the plurality of cutouts includes a first portion forming a first anglewith a reference line forming an angle of 90° with the gate line, asecond portion forming a second angle that is larger than the firstangle with the reference line, and a third portion forming a third anglethat is larger than the first angle with the reference line, and a valueobtained by multiplying a sum of a ratio of a vertical length of thesecond portion to a vertical length of the cutout and a ratio of avertical length of the third portion to the vertical length of thecutout by 10 and then dividing the multiplied value by PPI of theplurality of pixels is 1 or less.

According to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure ofinvention, in a liquid crystal display, two field generating electrodesare formed on one substrate in a pixel unit cell area of the onesubstrate, at least one of the two field generating electrodes is formedto have one or more cutouts, and a ratio among a main branch portion, acenter portion, and an edge portion of the cutout of the one fieldgenerating electrode has cutout channels bent at different angles withregard to the gate line where the cutout channels are adjusted toprevent irregular behavior of liquid crystal molecules according toexternal pressure from moving along the cutout and for also preventingdeterioration of backlighting transmittance efficeincy of the liquidcrystal display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan layout view of a liquid crystal display accordingto a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display accordingto the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, which is taken along lineII-II.

FIG. 3 is a top plan layout view of a liquid crystal display accordingto another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display accordingto the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, which is taken along lineIV-IV.

FIG. 5 is a top plan layout view of a liquid crystal display accordingto another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a top plan layout view showing a cutout of a field generatingelectrode of the liquid crystal display according to the exemplaryembodiment.

FIGS. 7A and 7 B are electronic microscope pictures showing results oftransmittance measurement of a portion of the liquid crystal displayaccording to Experimental Examples.

FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are top plan layout views showing thecutout of the field generating electrode of the liquid crystal displayaccording to other exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure of invention will be provided more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichexemplary embodiments are shown. As those skilled in the art wouldrealize after appreciating the present disclosure, the describedembodiments may be modified in various different ways, all withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the present teachings.

In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc.,are exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals designate likeelements throughout the specification. It will be understood that whenan element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to asbeing “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element orintervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an elementis referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are nointervening elements present.

Then, a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the liquid crystal display according to the first exemplaryembodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 isa top plan layout view of a liquid crystal display according to anexemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the liquidcrystal display according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1,which is taken along line II-II. FIG. 1 is a layout view showing acutout pattern of a field generating electrode of the liquid crystaldisplay according to the first exemplary embodiment.

First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid crystal display accordingto the first exemplary embodiment includes a lower display panel 100 anda spaced apart upper display panel 200 facing the lower panel and aliquid crystal material layer 3 interposed therebetween. A highly densematrix of pixel areas is formed on the upper and lower panels (200,100). However, just one such pixel area is described as an examplebelow. More specifically, the highly dense matrix of pixel areas mayhave a resolution in at least one direction of about 200 PPI (pixelareas pr inch) or greater. That is, about 200 or more pixels may beincluded in a region of about 1 inch as measured in at least one of, butpreferably both of orthoganal major axes (e.g., horizontal and vertical)of the liquid crystal display. Further, the horizontal axis length L1 ofone pixel area according to the exemplary embodiment may be about 40 μmor less and the vertical axis length L2 thereof may be about 120 μm orless. Three such pixel areas, each having the same 1:3 aspect ratio maybe ganged together to define a substantially square luminance providingregion of about 120 μm by 120 μm or less where the three, so gangedtogether pixel areas have respective different colors such as Red, Greenand Blue which in unison can create percetion of a white light. Ratherthan being perfectly square, the substantially square luminanceproviding region may include a shape such as that of two identicalparallelogroms joined at their corresponding boundaries to one anotherwith one of the parallelogroms being flipped upside down. Herein, asshown in the drawings, the horizontal length L1 of the pixel area is anX-axis interval between same vertical center portions of the twoadjacent data lines 171, and the vertical length L2 of the pixel is aY-axis interval between same horizontal center portions of two adjacentgate lines 121.

First, the lower display panel 100 will be described in more detail.

A generally horizontally extending, gate signal conductor is providedincluding a gate line 121 formed on an insulating substrate 110 wherethe later may be formed of a transparent glass, plastic or the like.

The gate line 121 includes a gate electrode 124 integrally branchingtherefrom, and a wide end portion (not shown) for connection withanother layer or an external driving circuit. The gate line 121 may bemade of an aluminum-based metal such as aluminum (Al) or an aluminumalloy, a silver-based metal such as silver (Ag) or a silver alloy, acopper-based metal such as copper (Cu) or a copper alloy, amolybdenum-based metal such as molybdenum (Mo) or a molybdenum alloy,chromium (Cr), tantalum (Ta), and titanium (Ti). However, the gate line121 may have a multilayered structure including at least two conductivelayers having different physical properties and/or different conductivematerials.

A gate insulating layer 140 formed for example of a silicon nitride(SiN_(x)), a silicon oxide (SiO_(x)) or the like is formed on the gateline 121. However, the gate insulating layer 140 may have a multilayeredstructure including at least two insulating layers having differentphysical properties and/or different nonconductive materials.

A semiconductive element 154 made for example of amorphous silicon,polysilicon or the like is formed on the gate insulating layer 140. Thesemiconductive element 154 may include or may be composed of asemiconductive oxide.

Ohmic contacts 163 and 165 are formed on the semiconductive element 154.The ohmic contacts 163 and 165 may made of a material such asn+hydrogenated amorphous silicon with which an n-type impurity such asphosphorus is doped at a high concentration, or silicide. The ohmiccontact 163 and 165 may form a pair to be disposed on the semiconductor154. In the case where the semiconductive element 154 is thesemiconductive oxide, the ohmic contacts 163 and 165 may be omitted.

A generally verticallly extending data signals conductor is provided,including a data line 171 having a source electrode 173 integrallybranching therefrom. In the same wiring layer, a spaced apart drainelectrode 175 is formed on a respective one of the ohmic contacts 163and 165 and overlapping the gate insulating layer 140.

The data line 171 includes a wide end portion (not shown) for connectionwith another layer or an external driving circuit. The data line 171transports respective data signals for application to respective pixelelectrodes and mainly extends in a vertical direction to thereby crosswith the gate line 121.

In the given embodiment, the data line 171 has periodically repeatedfirst bent portions each having a bent (inclined) edge shape so that thedata line 171 does not have a substantially straight line edge butrather one conforming with V-shaped contours of adjacent pixel areas,where the V-shaped contours allow for improved light transmittancethrough the liquid crystal display due to varaition of liquid crystaldomains as shall be detailed below. The first bent portions of the dataline 171 may meet each other in so-called, central or middle region ofthe respective pixel areas to form corresponding V shapes. In oneembodiment, the data line 171 additionally has periodically repeatedsecond bent portions that are bent so as to form a predetermined anglewith the first bent portions where the second bent portions may befurther included in the middle regions of the corresponding pixelregions.

The first bent portion of the data line 171 may be bent so as to formabout 7° with a vertical reference or major axis line y (reference lineextending in a y direction) of the device. The vertical major axis line(Y) forms a 90° angle with a major extension direction (X direction) ofthe gate line 121. The second bent portion disposed in the middle regionof the pixel region may be further bent so as to form about 7° to about15° with the first bent portion.

The source electrode 173 is a portion of the data line 171, and disposedin a same device layer as is the data line 171. The drain electrode 175is formed so as to extend in parallel to the source electrode 173.Accordingly, the drain electrode 175 is parallel to a portion of thedata line 171.

The gate electrode 124, the source electrode 173, and the drainelectrode 175 form parts of a thin film transistor (TFT) that furtherincludes the corresponding semiconductive element 154. A channel of thethin film transistor is formed in the semiconductor 154 in the spacingbetween the source electrode 173 and drain electrode 175.

The liquid crystal display according to the exemplary embodiment mayinclude the source electrode 173 positioned in the same layer as that ofthe data line 171 and the drain electrode 175 and extending verticallyin parallel to the data line 171 to thereby increase a width of the thinfilm transistor while the area of the data conductor is not increased,thus increasing an opening ratio (aperture) of the pixel areas of theliquid crystal display.

It is preferable that the data line 171 and the drain electrode 175 bemade of refractory metal such as molybdenum, chromium, tantalum, andtitanium, or an alloy thereof, and may have a multilayered structureincluding a refractory metal layer (not shown) and a low resistanceconductive layer (not shown). Examples of the multilayered structure mayinclude a double layer of a chromium or molybdenum (alloy) lower layerand an aluminum (alloy) upper layer, and a triple layer of a molybdenum(alloy) lower layer, an aluminum (alloy) middle layer, and a molybdenum(alloy) upper layer. However, the data line 171 and the drain electrode175 may be made of various metals or conductors in addition to this. Thewidth of the data line 171 may be about 3.5 μm ±0.75.

A first passivation layer 180 n is disposed on exposed portions of thedata conductors 171, 173, and 175, the gate insulating layer 140, andthe semiconductor 154. The first passivation layer 180 x may be formedof an organic insulating material, an inorganic insulating material orthe like.

A second passivation layer 180 q is disposed on the first passivationlayer 180 n. The second passivation layer 180 q may be omitted. Thesecond passivation layer 180 q may be a color filter. In the case wherethe second passivation layer 180 q is the color filter, the secondpassivation layer 180 q may intrinsically display any one of primarycolors, and examples of the primary colors may include three primarycolors such as red, green, or blue, yellow, cyan, magenta, or the likeand the color filter 230 of the upper substrate 200 may be omitted.Although not shown in the drawings, the color filter may further includea color filter displaying a mixed color of the primary colors or whiteor clear in addition to the primary colors.

A reference electrode 270 is formed on the second passivation layer 180q.

The reference electrode 270 may have a planar shape shape and be formedon the entire surface of the substrate 110 to have a whole plate shape,and may have an opening (not shown) disposed in a region correspondingto the circumference of the drain electrode 175. That is, the referenceelectrode 270 may have a substantially flat plate shape.

The reference electrodes 270 disposed in adjacent pixels may beconnected to each other to receive a common voltage (Vcom) having apredetermined magnitude as supplied from a source outside of the displayregion.

A third passivation layer 180 z is disposed on the reference electrode270. The third passivation layer 180 z may be formed of an organicinsulating material, an inorganic insulating material or the like.

A patterned pixel electrode 191 is formed on the third passivation layer180 z. The patterned pixel electrode 191 includes a curved edge that isalmost parallel to the first bent portion and the second bent portion ofthe data line 171. The pixel electrode 191 has a plurality of firstcutouts 92, and includes a plurality of first branch electrodes 192defined by conductive electrode material disposed between the pluralityof first cutouts 92. The pixel electrode 191 includes the first cutouts92 having the same shape as a basic (template) electrode piece 199described below with reference to FIG. 6 and a plurality of first branchelectrodes 192 according thereto. The first cutouts 92 of the pixelelectrode 191 includes a main branch portion forming a first angle θ1with the vertical reference line (reference line extending in the Y axisdirection, see FIG. 8). As mentioned, the Y axis direction forms 90°with the general extension direction (X axis direction) of the gate line121, where a center portion forms a second angle θ2 (FIG. 8) with thevertical Y reference line, and an edge portion forms a third angle θ3with the vertical reference line. The second angle θ2 and the thirdangle θ3 may be larger than the first angle θ1. The main branch portionof the first cutout 92 of the pixel electrode 191 may have a length thatis about 80% or more of the entire length of the cutout, the centerportion may have a length that is about 6% to about 13% of the entirelength of the cutout, and the edge portion may have a length that isabout 0% to about 10% of the entire length of the cutout. Here, thelength of the cutout is as measured along the Y axis. Further, a valueobtained by multiplying a sum of a ratio of the center section portion(CS—see FIG. 6) to the entire length of the first cutout 92 of the pixelelectrode 191 and a ratio of the edge portion (ES) to the entire lengthof the cutout by 10 and then dividing the multiplied value by PPI of theliquid crystal display may be about 1 or less. Further, a value obtainedby multiplying the sum of the ratio of the center portion to the entirelength of the first cutout 92 of the pixel electrode 191 and the ratioof the edge portion to the entire length of the cutout by a verticallength of one pixel may be about 20 μm or less. Further, a valueobtained by multiplying the ratio of the center portion to the entirelength of the first cutout 92 of the pixel electrode 191 by the verticallength of one pixel may be about 5 μm or less. Further, a value obtainedby multiplying the ratio of the edge portion to the entire length of thefirst cutout 92 of the pixel electrode 191 by the vertical length of onepixel may be about 5 μm or less. A first contact hole 185 through whichthe drain electrode 175 is exposed is formed extending through the firstpassivation layer 180 n, the second passivation layer 180 q , and thethird passivation layer 180 z. The pixel electrode 191 is physically andelectrically connected to the drain electrode 175 through the firstcontact hole 185 to receive a voltage from the drain electrode 175 whenthe TFT is turned on.

Although not shown in the drawings, an alignment layer may be applied onthe pixel electrode 191 and the third passivation layer 180 z, may be ahorizontal alignment layer, and may be rubbed in a predetermineddirection. However, in the liquid crystal display according to anotherexemplary embodiment, the alignment layer may include an opticalreaction material to be optically aligned (e.g., cured upon exposure toUV light).

Next, the upper display panel 200 will be described.

A light blocking member (a.k.a. black matrix element) 220 is formed onthe insulating substrate 210 where the latter is made of transparentglass, plastic or the like. The light blocking member 220 is also calleda black matrix (BM) and prevents light leakage.

A plurality of color filters 230 is formed on the substrate 210. In thecase where the second passivation layer 180 q of the lower display panel100 is a color filter, the color filter 230 of the upper display panel200 may be omitted. Further, the light blocking member 220 of the upperdisplay panel 200 may be formed in the lower display panel 100.

A planarized overcoat 250 is formed on the color filter 230 and thelight blocking member 220. The overcoat 250 is made of an (organic)insulator, and it prevents exposure of the color filter 230 whileproviding a flat surface. The overcoat 250 may be omitted.

A second alignment layer may be disposed on the overcoat 250.

The liquid crystal layer 3 includes a nematic liquid crystal materialhaving positive dielectric anisotropy. The liquid crystal molecules ofthe liquid crystal layer 3 are arranged so that a long axis directionthereof is parallel to the display panels 100 and 200, and the liquidcrystal layer has a twisted spiral structure where the direction thereofis 90° from the rubbing direction of the alignment layer of the lowerdisplay panel 100 to the upper display panel 200.

The pixel electrode 191 receives a data voltage from the drain electrode175. At the same time, the reference electrode 270 receives a referencevoltage (Vcom) having a predetermined size from a reference voltageapplication portion disposed in the outside of the display region.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 3 positionedbetween the two electrodes 191 and 270 are rotated in a direction thatis parallel to a direction of an electric field generated by the appliedvoltage between the pixel electrode 191 and the reference electrode 270.As described above, according to the determined rotation direction ofthe liquid crystal molecule, the polarization of light passing throughthe liquid crystal layer is changed.

Next, the liquid crystal display according to another exemplaryembodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 isa layout view of a liquid crystal display according to another (second)exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the liquidcrystal display according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3,which is taken along line IV-IV.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the liquid crystal display according tothe present exemplary embodiment is almost similar to the liquid crystaldisplay according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.Briefly, the postioning and patternings of the common electrode (270)and pixel electrode (191) are reversed and the drain contact hole isdone away with.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 in more detail, the liquid crystal displayaccording to the exemplary embodiment includes the lower display panel100 and the upper display panel 200 facing each other, and the liquidcrystal layer 3 injected therebetween. One pixel area is described as anexample below, but the liquid crystal display according to the exemplaryembodiment may have resolution of about 200 PPI or more. That is, about200 or more pixels may be included in a region about 1 inch in eachdimension in the liquid crystal display. Further, the horizontal lengthL1 of one pixel of the liquid crystal display according to the exemplaryembodiment may be about 40 μm or less and the vertical length L2 thereofmay be about 120 μm or less. Herein, as shown in the drawings, thehorizontal length L1 of the pixel is an interval between verticalcentral portions of the two adjacent data lines 171, and the verticallength L2 of the pixel means an interval between horizontal centralportions of the two adjacent gate lines 121.

First, the lower display panel 100 will be described.

The gate conductor including the gate line 121 is formed on theinsulating substrate 110.

The gate insulating layer 140 formed of a silicon nitride (SiN_(x)), asilicon oxide (SiO_(x)) or the like is formed on the gate conductor 121.

The semiconductor 154 is formed on the gate insulating layer 140.

Ohmic contacts 163 and 165 are formed on the semiconductor 154. In thecase where the semiconductor 154 is a semiconductive oxide, the ohmiccontacts 163 and 165 may be omitted.

The data conductor including the data line 171 including the sourceelectrode 173 and the drain electrode 175 is formed on the ohmiccontacts 163 and 165 and the gate insulating layer 140.

The pixel electrode 191 is formed directly on and thus electricallycontacting the drain electrode 175. The pixel electrode 191 is disposedin one pixel region to have a planar shape, that is for example, a plateshape.

The passivation layer 180 is disposed on the data conductors 171, 173,and 175, the gate insulating layer 140, the exposed portion of thesemiconductor 154, and the pixel electrode 191. However, in the liquidcrystal display according to another exemplary embodiment, thepassivation layer 180 may be disposed between the pixel electrode 191and the data line 171, and the pixel electrode 191 may be connectedthrough the contact hole (not shown) formed in the passivation layer 180to the drain electrode 175.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3-4, it is the reference electrode 270 whichis patterned to have cutouts and it is formed on top of the passivationlayer 180. The reference electrodes 270 are connected to each other toreceive the reference voltage (Vcom) from the reference voltageapplication portion disposed in the outside of the display region.

The reference electrode 270 includes the curved edges that are almostparallel to the first bent portion and the second bent portion of thedata line 171, and the reference electrodes 270 disposed in the adjacentpixels are connected to each other. The reference electrode 270 has aplurality of second cutouts 272, and includes a plurality of secondbranch electrodes 271 defined by a plurality of second cutouts 272. Thereference electrode 270 includes the second cutouts 272 having the sameshape as the basic (template) electrode 199 described below withreference to FIG. 6 and a plurality of second branch electrodes 271according thereto. The second cutouts 272 of the reference electrode 270includes the main branch portion forming the first angle θ1 with thevertical reference line (reference line extending in a y direction)forming 90° with the extension direction (x direction) of the gate line121, the center portion forming the second angle θ2 with the verticalreference line, and the edge portion forming the third angle θ3 with thevertical reference line. The second angle θ2 and the third angle θ3 maybe larger than the first angle θ1. The vertical length of the mainbranch portion of the second cutout 272 of the reference electrode 270may be about 80% or more of the vertical length of the cutout. Here, thevertical length is measured in a direction parallel to the verticalreference line (reference line extending in a y direction). The verticallength of the center portion may be about 6% to about 13% of thevertical length of the cutout and the vertical length of the edgeportion may be about 0% to about 10% of the vertical length of thecutout. Further, the value obtained by multiplying the sum of the ratioof the vertical length of the center portion to the vertical length ofthe second cutout 272 of the reference electrode 270 and the ratio ofthe vertical length of the edge portion to the vertical length of thecutout by 10 and then dividing the multiplied value by PPI of the liquidcrystal display may be about 1 less. Further, the value obtained bymultiplying the sum of the ratio of the vertical length of the centerportion to the vertical length of the second cutout 272 of the referenceelectrode 270 and the ratio of the vertical length of the edge portionto the vertical length of the cutout by the vertical length of one pixelmay be about 20 μm or less. Further, the value obtained by multiplyingthe ratio of the vertical length of the center portion to the verticallength of the second cutout 272 of the reference electrode 270 by thevertical length of one pixel may be about 5 μm or less. Further, thevalue obtained by multiplying the ratio of the vertical length of theedge portion to the vertical length of the second cutout 272 of thereference electrode 270 by the vertical length of one pixel may be about5 μm or less.

Although not shown in the drawings, a first alignment layer may beapplied on the reference electrode 270 and to the passivation layer 180,where the first alignment layer may be a horizontal alignment layer, andmay be rubbed in a predetermined direction. However, in the liquidcrystal display according to another exemplary embodiment, the alignmentlayer may include an optical reaction material to be optically aligned(e.g., cured by UV light after being electrically aligned).

Then, the upper display panel 200 will be described.

The light blocking member 220 is formed on the insulating substrate 210.A plurality of color filters 230 is formed on the substrate 210. In thecase where the color filter 230 may be disposed on the lower displaypanel 100, and in this case, the light blocking member 220 may bedisposed in the lower display panel 100.

The overcoat 250 is formed on the color filter 230 and the lightblocking member 220. The overcoat 250 may be omitted.

A second alignment layer may be disposed on the overcoat 250. The liquidcrystal layer 3 includes a nematic liquid crystal material havingpositive dielectric anisotropy. The liquid crystal molecules of theliquid crystal layer 3 are arranged so that a long axis directionthereof is parallel to the display panels 100 and 200, and the liquidcrystal layer has a twisted spiral structure where the direction thereofis 90° from the rubbing direction of the alignment layer of the lowerdisplay panel 100 to the upper display panel 200.

Next, the liquid crystal display according to another (third) exemplaryembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is alayout view of a liquid crystal display according to another exemplaryembodiment having additional feature 138 (second contact hole).

Referring to FIG. 5 in more detail, the liquid crystal display accordingto the present exemplary embodiment is similar to the liquid crystaldisplay according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Adetailed description of the similar constituent elements will beomitted.

However, the liquid crystal display according to the present exemplaryembodiment further includes a reference voltage supplying line 131formed of the gate conductor like the gate line 121 unlike the liquidcrystal display according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1and 2. The reference voltage supplying line 131 transfers apredetermined reference voltage (Vcom) to corresponding referenceelectrode portions, and it includes a respective extension portion forconnection with the reference electrode 270 of each respective pixelarea. The reference voltage line 131 may extend parallel to the gateline 121 and be formed of the same material(s) as that of the gate line121.

The reference electrode 270 may be physically and electrically connectedthrough the second contact hole 138 formed in the first passivationlayer 180 n and the second passivation layer 180 q to the referencevoltage supplying line 131 to thereby receive a common voltage (Vcom)having a predetermined size from the reference voltage line 131.

The reference electrodes 270 of respective pixel areas may be connectedto each other to receive the reference voltage from the referencevoltage application portion disposed in the outside of the displayregion, but may be additionally connected to the reference voltage line131 to receive the reference voltage, thus preventing the referencevoltage from being reduced in the display region due to the highereresistivity of the material of the reference electrode 270 taken alone.

Like the aforementioned liquid crystal display according to theexemplary embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, thepixel electrode 191 of the liquid crystal display according to thepresent exemplary embodiment includes the first cutout 92 having thesame shape as the basic electrode 199 described below with reference toFIG. 6 and a plurality of first branch electrodes 192 according thereto.The first cutouts 92 of the pixel electrode 191 includes the main branchportion forming the first angle θ1 with the vertical reference line(reference line extending in a y direction) forming 90° with theextension direction (x direction) of the gate line 121, the centerportion forming the second angle θ2 with the vertical reference line,and the edge portion forming the third angle θ3 with the verticalreference line. The second angle θ2 and the third angle θ3 may be largerthan the first angle θ1. The vertical length of the main branch portionof the second cutout 272 of the reference electrode 270 may be about 80%or more of the vertical length of the cutout. Here, the vertical lengthis measured in a direction parallel to the vertical reference line(reference line extending in a y direction). The vertical length of thecenter portion may be about 6% to about 13% of the vertical length ofthe cutout and the vertical length of the edge portion may be about 0%to about 10% of the vertical length of the cutout. Further, the valueobtained by multiplying the sum of the ratio of the vertical length ofthe center portion to the vertical length of the second cutout 272 ofthe reference electrode 270 and the ratio of the vertical length of theedge portion to the vertical length of the cutout by 10 and thendividing the multiplied value by PPI of the liquid crystal display maybe about 1 less. Further, the value obtained by multiplying the sum ofthe ratio of the vertical length of the center portion to the verticallength of the second cutout 272 of the reference electrode 270 and theratio of the vertical length of the edge portion to the vertical lengthof the cutout by the vertical length of one pixel may be about 20 μm orless. Further, the value obtained by multiplying the ratio of thevertical length of the center portion to the vertical length of thesecond cutout 272 of the reference electrode 270 by the vertical lengthof one pixel may be about 5 μm or less. Further, the value obtained bymultiplying the ratio of the vertical length of the edge portion to thevertical length of the second cutout 272 of the reference electrode 270by the vertical length of one pixel may be about 5 μm or less.

Next, a basic patterned electrode 199 corresponding to one of the fieldgenerating electrodes (either the pixel electrode if it is patterned orthe reference electrode if it is patterned) of the liquid crystaldisplay according to an exemplary embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 6, the cutout of the basic electrode of the fieldgenerating electrode of the liquid crystal display according to theexemplary embodiment includes the main branch portion MS (interposedbetween central section CS and end section ES and) forming the firstangle θ1 with the vertical reference line (reference line extending in ay direction) forming 90° with the extension direction (x direction) ofthe gate line 121. It further includes the center portion CS forming thesecond angle θ2 with the vertical reference line, and the edge portionES forming the third angle θ3 with the vertical reference line. Thesecond angle θ2 and the third angle θ3 may be larger than the firstangle θ1. For example, the first angle θ1 may be about 5° to about 20°,and the second angle θ2 may be about 40° to about 50°.

Likewise, the cutout of the basic electrode of the field generatingelectrode is formed so as to further include the center portion CS andthe edge portion ES having the angle that is larger than the angle ofthe main branch portion MS with respect to the vertical reference line,in addition to the main branch portion (MS). That is, the cutout is bentat a large angle at a boundary portion of the main branch portion MS andthe center portion (CS), and the cutout is bent at a large angle at aboundary portion of the main branch portion MS and the edge portion(ES). Therefore, in a case where external pressure and the like areapplied from the outside (e.g., by a user's finger) to press on thecenter portion CS and/or to the edge portion (ES), it is possible toprevent a spreading of the pressure-induced irregular positions ofliquid crystal molecules directly to the main branch portion (MS).Specifically, irregular behavior of the liquid crystal moleculesoccurring at the center portion CS and the edge portion ES is not movedin a straight line to and along the boundary portion with the mainbranch portion MS that is bent at a large angle relative to thedirection of the externally generated pressure wave(s). Therefore, it ispossible to prevent a bruising phenomenon according to externalpressures and the like.

As described above, the liquid crystal display according to theexemplary embodiments may have resolution of about 200 PPI or more. Thatis, about 200 more pixels may be included in a region about 1 inch ineach dimension in the liquid crystal display. Further, the horizontallength of one pixel of the liquid crystal display according to theexemplary embodiment of the present invention may be about 40 μm or lessand the vertical length thereof may be about 120 μm or less.

The vertical length of the main branch portion MS of the cutout of thebasic electrode of the field generating electrode may be about 80% ormore of the vertical length of the cutout, the vertical length of thecenter portion CS may be about 6% to about 13% of the vertical length ofthe cutout, and the vertical length of the edge portion ES may be about0% to about 10% of the vertical length of the cutout.

The vertical length of the center portion CS of the cutout and thevertical length of the edge portion ES of the cutout may be about 5 μmor less, and the vertical length of the cutout may be about 100 μm.

Further, the value obtained by multiplying the sum of the ratio (%) ofthe vertical length of the center portion CS to the vertical length ofthe cutout and the ratio (%) of the vertical length of the edge portionES to the vertical length of the cutout by 10 and then dividing themultiplied value by PPI of the liquid crystal display may be about 1less.

Further, the value obtained by multiplying the sum of the ratio of thevertical length of the center portion CS to the vertical length of thecutout and the ratio of the vertical length of the edge portion ES tothe vertical length of the cutout by the vertical length of one pixelmay be about 20 μm or less.

Further, the value obtained by multiplying the ratio of the verticallength of the center portion CS to the vertical length of the cutout bythe vertical length of one pixel may be about 5 μm or less.

Further, the value obtained by multiplying the ratio of the verticallength of the edge portion ES to the vertical length of the cutout bythe vertical length of one pixel may be about 5 μm or less.

Likewise, light transmittance through the pixel area apertures of theliquid crystal display may be increased by increasing the verticallength of the ratio of the main branch portion MS of the cutout of thefield generating electrode to the vertical length of the cutout andreducing the ratio of one or both of the center portion CS and the edgeportion ES thereto.

Next, the transmittance of the liquid crystal display according toExperimental Examples will be described with reference to Tables 1 and 2and FIG. 7.

That is, in the present Experimental Example, the light-passingtransmittance was measured while the resolution of the liquid crystaldisplay, for example, PPI, that is, the total number of pixels disposedin the region about 1 inch in each dimension in the liquid crystaldisplay, the horizontal length and the vertical length of the pixel, thevertical length of the cutout, the vertical length of the center portionCS of the cutout, the vertical length of the edge portion ES of thecutout and the like were changed, and a result thereof is described inthe following Table 1. For example, the transmittance was measured, insimilar manner to how done for a known liquid crystal display, in thecases where the ratio of the vertical length of the center portion CS ofthe cutout and the ratio of the vertical length of the edge portion ESto the vertical length (L) of the cutout were formed (Case A1, Case A2,and Case A3), and like the liquid crystal display according to theexemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the cases where theratio of the vertical length of the center portion CS of the cutout andthe ratio of the vertical length of the edge portion ES to the verticallength of the cutout were adjusted (Case B1, Case B2, Case B3, Case B4,and Case B5). All other conditions were the same. When the same fluidicdisturbance pressure was applied to all the liquid crystal displaysmanufactured in the present Experimental Examples, it was found that abruising phenomenon does not occur.

TABLE 1 (CS) (ES) (CS/L) (ES/L) Horizontal Vertical Entire Length ofLength of Ratio of Ratio of length of length of length of the center theedge the center the edge Transmittance Case PPI the pixel the pixel thecutout portion portion portion portion (%) Case A1 264 32 96 73.5 10 7.513.60% 20.40% 3.8 Case A2 200 42 126 91 10 7.5 11.00% 16.50% 4.4 Case A3200 42 126 91 5 7.5 5.50% 16.50% 4.4 Case B1 264 32 96 79.4 5 5 5.21%10.42% 4.4 Case B2 264 32 96 79.4 0 3 0.00% 6.25% 4.7 Case B3 264 32 9679.4 0 5 0.00% 10.42% 4.6 Case B4 264 32 96 79.4 5 4 5.21% 8.33% 4.5Case B5 264 32 96 79.4 4 0 4.17% 0.00% 4.6

Referring to the aforementioned Table 1, it can be seen that as comparedto the cases where the ratio of the vertical length of the centerportion CS of the cutout and the ratio of the vertical length of theedge portion ES to the vertical length (L) of the cutout are relativelylarge, for example, the ratio of the edge portion ES of the cutout isabout 7.5% and the ratio of the center portion CS is about 15% or more(Case A1, Case A2, and Case A3), like the liquid crystal displayaccording to the exemplary embodiment, in the cases where the ratio ofthe center portion CS of the cutout and the ratio of the edge portion ESto the entire length of the cutout are adjusted (Case B1, Case B2, CaseB3, Case B4, and Case B5), the transmittance of the liquid crystaldisplay is increased even though PPI of the liquid crystal display islarge (e.g., 200 PPI). That is, it can be seen that like the liquidcrystal display according to the exemplary embodiment, if the ratio ofthe vertical length of the center portion CS of the cutout and the ratioof the vertical length of the edge portion ES to the vertical length ofthe cutout are adjusted, the transmittance of the liquid crystal displayis increased even though the liquid crystal display is formed to havehigh resolution (e.g., 200 PPI).

Likewise, it can be seen that in the liquid crystal display according tothe exemplary embodiment, it is possible to prevent a bruisingphenomenon according to external pressure and prevent a reduction intransmittance of the liquid crystal display.

In the present Experimental Example, the value A obtained by multiplyingthe sum of the ratio of the vertical length of the center portion CS tothe vertical length of the cutout and the ratio of the vertical lengthof the edge portion ES to the vertical length of the cutout by 10 andthen dividing the multiplied value by PPI of the liquid crystal display,the value B obtained by multiplying the sum of the ratio of the verticallength of the center portion CS to the vertical length of the cutout andthe ratio of the vertical length of the edge portion ES to the verticallength of the cutout and the vertical length of one pixel, the value Cobtained by multiplying the ratio of the vertical length of the centerportion CS to the vertical length of the cutout and the vertical lengthof one pixel, and the value D obtained by multiplying the ratio of thevertical length of the edge portion ES to the vertical length of thecutout and the vertical length of one pixel were calculated, and aredescribed in the following Table 2.

TABLE 2 B C D Transmittance case A (μm) (μm) (μm) (%) Case A1 1.29 32.69.6 7.20 3.8 Case A2 1.38 34.6 12.6 9.45 4.4 Case A3 1.10 27.7 6.3 9.454.4 Case B1 0.59 15.0 4.8 4.80 4.4 Case B2 0.24 6.0 0.0 2.88 4.7 Case B30.39 10.0 0.0 4.80 4.6 Case B4 0.51 13.0 4.8 3.84 4.5 Case B7 0.16 4.03.8 0.00 4.6

Referring to Table 2, it can be seen that like the liquid crystaldisplay according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention,in the case where the value obtained by multiplying the sum of the ratioof the vertical length of the center portion CS to the vertical lengthof the cutout and the ratio of the vertical length of the edge portionES to the vertical length of the cutout by 10 and then dividing themultiplied value by PPI of the liquid crystal display is about 1 or less(Case B1, Case B2, Case B3, Case B4, and Case B5), the transmittance isincreased.

Further, it can be seen that like the liquid crystal display accordingto the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the case wherethe value obtained by multiplying the sum of the ratio of the verticallength of the center portion CS to the vertical length of the cutout andthe ratio of the vertical length of the edge portion ES to the verticallength of the cutout and the vertical length of one pixel is about 20 μmor less (Case B1, Case B2, Case B3, Case B4, and Case B5), thetransmittance is increased.

Further, it can be seen that like the liquid crystal display accordingto the exemplary embodiment, in the case where the value obtained bymultiplying the ratio of the vertical length of the center portion CS tothe vertical length of the cutout and the vertical length of one pixelis about 5 μm or less (Case B1, Case B2, Case B3, Case B4, and Case B5),the transmittance is increased.

Further, it can be seen that like the liquid crystal display accordingto the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the case wherethe value obtained by multiplying the ratio of the vertical length ofthe edge portion ES to the vertical length of the cutout and thevertical length of one pixel is about 5 μm or less (Case B1, Case B2,Case B3, Case B4, and Case B5), the transmittance is increased.

Next, the bruising phenomenon of the liquid crystal display according toan Experimental Example of the present invention will be described withreference to FIG. 7 parts (a) and (b). FIG. 7 is an electronicmicroscope picture showing a result of transmittance of a portion of theliquid crystal display according to an Experimental Example of thepresent invention.

In the present Experimental Example, the second angle θ2 was changed intwo cases (Case A1 and Case B4) in the Experimental Example describedwith reference to Table 1. Specifically, in the case (7 a) where thevertical length of the center portion CS of the cutout of the fieldgenerating electrode is about 10 μm and the second angle θ2 is about 25°(Case A1) like the known liquid crystal display, and in the case (7 b)where the vertical length of the center portion CS of the cutout of thefield generating electrode is about 5 μm and the second angle θ2 isabout 45° (Case B4) like the liquid crystal display according to theexemplary embodiment of the present invention, after external pressureshaving the same magnitude are applied, the center portion of the cutoutis observed by an electronic microscope, and the respective resultsthereof is shown in FIG. 7 parts (a) and (b).

More specifically, FIG. 7(a) shows the result of the presentExperimental Example (Case A1), and FIG. 7(b) shows the result of thepresent Experimental Example (Case B4).

Referring to FIG. 7, when the same external pressure is applied, it canbe seen that in the case of the exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention (Case B4), like the case of a known liquid crystal display(Case A1), a transmittance deterioration portion according to irregularbehavior of liquid crystal is formed only at the center portion CS ofthe cutout but is not diffused to the main branch portion MS of thecutout. Likewise, it can be seen that the liquid crystal displayaccording to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention canprevent movement of irregular behavior of the liquid crystal moleculesaccording to the external pressure along the cutout and also preventdeterioration in transmittance in the liquid crystal display having highresolution.

Next, the cutout of the basic electrode of the field generatingelectrode of the liquid crystal display according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 8 to 14. FIGS. 8 to 14 are respective layout views showing thecutout of the field generating electrode of the liquid crystal displayaccording to respective other exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the cutout of the basic electrode of the fieldgenerating electrode of the liquid crystal display according to thepresent exemplary embodiment is similar to the cutout of the basicelectrode of the field generating electrode of the liquid crystaldisplay according to the exemplary embodiments described with referenceto FIGS. 1 to 6.

The cutout of the basic electrode of the field generating electrodeincludes the main branch portion MS forming the first angle θ1 with thevertical reference line forming 90° with the extension direction of thegate line, the center portion CS forming the second angle θ2 with thevertical reference line, and the edge portion ES forming the third angleθ3 with the vertical reference line. The second angle θ2 and the thirdangle θ3 may be larger than the first angle θ1.

However, the edge portion ES of the cutout of the basic electrode of thefield generating electrode of the liquid crystal display according tothe present exemplary embodiment has the first edge portion ES1 disposedin the lower portion of the pixel region and the second edge portion ES2disposed on the upper portion of the pixel region.

The angle θ3 b formed by the second edge portion ES2 and the verticalreference line is smaller than the angle θ3 a formed by the first edgeportion ES1 and the vertical reference line, and the length of thesecond edge portion ES2 is smaller than the length of the first edgeportion ES1.

Further, the end portion of the second edge portion ES2 is notsurrounded by the field generating electrode but is opened.

All characteristics of the liquid crystal display according to theexemplary embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 may beapplied to the liquid crystal display according to the present exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the corresponding cutout of the basicelectrode of the field generating electrode of the liquid crystaldisplay according to the present exemplary embodiment is similar to thecutout of the basic electrode of the field generating electrode of theliquid crystal display according to the exemplary embodiment describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 and the cutout of the basic electrode ofthe field generating electrode of the liquid crystal display accordingto the exemplary embodiment described with reference to FIG. 8.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the cutout of the basic electrode of thefield generating electrode includes the main branch portion MS formingthe first angle θ1 with the vertical reference line forming 90° with theextension direction of the gate line, the center portion CS forming thesecond angle θ2 with the vertical reference line, and the edge portionES forming the third angle θ3 with the vertical reference line. Thesecond angle θ2 and the third angle θ3 may be larger than the firstangle θ1.

However, the edge portion ES of the cutout of the basic electrode of thefield generating electrode of the liquid crystal display according tothe present exemplary embodiment has the first edge portion ES1 disposedin the lower portion of the pixel region and the second edge portion ES2disposed on the upper portion of the pixel region.

The angle θ3 b formed by the second edge portion ES2 and the verticalreference line is smaller than the angle θ3 a formed by the first edgeportion ES1 and the vertical reference line, and the length of thesecond edge portion ES2 is smaller than the length of the first edgeportion ES1.

Further, the end portion of the second edge portion ES2 is not fullysurrounded by the field generating electrode but is instead partiallyopened so that fluidic disturbance motion can flow out of that openingd1.

An interval d1 between the end portion of the second edge portion ES2 ofthe cutout of the basic electrode of the field generating electrode ofthe liquid crystal display according to the exemplary embodiment shownin FIG. 8 and the main branch portion of the adjacent basic electrode isdifferent from intervals d2 and d3 between the end portion of the secondedge portion ES2 of the cutout of the basic electrode of the fieldgenerating electrode of the liquid crystal display according to theexemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and the main branchportion of the adjacent basic electrode.

All characteristics of the liquid crystal display according to theexemplary embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 may beapplied to the liquid crystal display according to the present exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 11, the cutout of the basic electrode of the fieldgenerating electrode of the liquid crystal display according to thepresent exemplary embodiment is similar to the cutout of the basicelectrode of the field generating electrode of the liquid crystaldisplay according to the exemplary embodiments described with referenceto FIGS. 1 to 6.

The cutout of the basic electrode of the field generating electrodeincludes the main branch portion MS forming the first angle θ1 with thevertical reference line forming 90° with the extension direction of thegate line, the center portion CS forming the second angle θ2 with thevertical reference line, and the edge portion ES forming the third angleθ3 with the vertical reference line. The second angle θ2 and the thirdangle θ3 may be larger than the first angle θ1.

However, the edge portion ES of the cutout of the basic electrode of thefield generating electrode of the liquid crystal display according tothe present exemplary embodiment has the first edge portion ES1 disposedin the lower portion of the pixel region and the second edge portion ES2disposed on the upper portion of the pixel region.

The angle θ3 b formed by the second edge portion ES2 and the verticalreference line is smaller than the angle θ3 a formed by the first edgeportion ES1 and the vertical reference line, and the length of thesecond edge portion ES2 is smaller than the length of the first edgeportion ES1.

Further, unlike the liquid crystal display according to the exemplaryembodiments shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the end portion of the second edgeportion ES2 is essentially fully surrounded by the field generatingelectrode so that there is basically no opening.

All characteristics of the liquid crystal display according to theexemplary embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 may beapplied to the liquid crystal display according to the present exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, the cutout of the basic electrode of the fieldgenerating electrode of the liquid crystal display according to thepresent exemplary embodiment is similar to the cutout of the basicelectrode of the field generating electrode of the liquid crystaldisplay according to the exemplary embodiments described with referenceto FIGS. 1 to 6.

The cutout of the basic electrode of the field generating electrodeincludes the main branch portion MS forming the first angle θ1 with thevertical reference line forming 90° with the extension direction of thegate line, the center portion CS forming the second angle θ2 with thevertical reference line, and the edge portion ES forming the third angleθ3 with the vertical reference line. The second angle θ2 and the thirdangle θ3 may be larger than the first angle θ1.

However, the edge portion ES of the cutout of the basic electrode of thefield generating electrode of the liquid crystal display according tothe present exemplary embodiment has the first edge portion ES1 disposedin the lower portion of the pixel region and the second edge portion ES2disposed on the upper portion of the pixel region.

The angle θ3 b formed by the second edge portion ES2 and the verticalreference line is larger than the angle θ3 a formed by the first edgeportion ES1 and the vertical reference line, and the length of thesecond edge portion ES2 is smaller than the length of the first edgeportion ES1.

Further, the end portion of the second edge portion ES2 is notsurrounded by the field generating electrode but is opened.

All characteristics of the liquid crystal display according to theexemplary embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 may beapplied to the liquid crystal display according to the present exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the cutout of the basic electrode of thefield generating electrode of the liquid crystal display according tothe present exemplary embodiment is similar to the cutout of the basicelectrode of the field generating electrode of the liquid crystaldisplay according to the exemplary embodiment described with referenceto FIGS. 1 to 6 and the cutout of the basic electrode of the fieldgenerating electrode of the liquid crystal display according to theexemplary embodiment described with reference to FIG. 12.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the cutout of the basic electrode of thefield generating electrode includes the main branch portion MS formingthe first angle θ1 with the vertical reference line forming 90° with theextension direction of the gate line, the center portion CS forming thesecond angle θ2 with the vertical reference line, and the edge portionES forming the third angle θ3 with the vertical reference line. Thesecond angle θ2 and the third angle θ3 may be larger than the firstangle θ1.

However, the edge portion ES of the cutout of the basic electrode of thefield generating electrode of the liquid crystal display according tothe present exemplary embodiment has the first edge portion ES1 disposedin the lower portion of the pixel region and the second edge portion ES2disposed on the upper portion of the pixel region.

The angle θ3 b formed by the second edge portion ES2 and the verticalreference line is larger than the angle θ3 a formed by the first edgeportion ES1 and the vertical reference line, and the length of thesecond edge portion ES2 is smaller than the length of the first edgeportion ES1.

Further, the end portion of the second edge portion ES2 is notsurrounded by the field generating electrode but is opened.

Further, an interval d4 between the end portion of the second edgeportion ES2 of the cutout of the basic electrode of the field generatingelectrode of the liquid crystal display according to the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 12 and the main branch portion of the adjacentbasic electrode is different from intervals d5 and d6 between the endportion of the second edge portion ES2 of the cutout of the basicelectrode of the field generating electrode of the liquid crystaldisplay according to the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 13 and 14and the main branch portion of the adjacent basic electrode.

All characteristics of the liquid crystal display according to theexemplary embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 may beapplied to the liquid crystal display according to the present exemplaryembodiment.

While this disclosure of invention has been described in connection withwhat is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, itis to be understood that the present teachings are not limited to thedisclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, are intended to covervarious modifications and equivalent arrangements included within thespirit and scope of the present teachings.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid crystal display comprising: a firstsubstrate having a major horizontal imaginary reference line and a majorvertical imaginary reference line, a gate line disposed on the firstsubstrate and extending substantially parallel to the horizontalimaginary reference line, and a plurality of pixel unit cells disposedon the first substrate and each including a first field generatingelectrode and a second field generating electrode, the second fieldgenerating electrode being insulatively spaced apart from the firstfield generating electrode by an interposed insulating layer, whereinone of the first of the first field generating electrode and the secondfield generating electrode has a plurality of cutouts defined therein,wherein each of the cutout comprises two main branch portions, a centralsection portion, and two end section portions, each main branch portionprovided between a central section portion and the respective endsection portions, wherein each main branch portion forms a correspondingfirst angle with the major vertical imaginary reference line, eachcentral section portion forms a second angle with the major verticalimaginary reference line, the second angle being different from thefirst angle, each end section portion forms a third angle with the majorvertical imaginary reference line, the third angle being different fromthe first angle, and the first angle, the second angle, and the thirdangle are non-zero, wherein adjacent one group of end section portionsof the two end section portions are connected to each other and adjacentother group of end section portions of the two end section portions areseparated from each other, and wherein a value obtained by multiplying asum of the ratio of a vertical length of the central section portion toa vertical length of the cutout and the ratio of a vertical length ofthe two end section portions to the vertical length of the cutout by avertical length of the pixel is about 20 μm or less.
 2. The liquidcrystal display of claim 1, wherein: for each of the cutouts, a ratio ofa sum of vertical lengths of the two main branch portions to a verticallength of the cutout is 80% or more but less than 100%.
 3. The liquidcrystal display of claim 1, wherein: the vertical length is measuredalong the major vertical imaginary reference line, and a ratio of avertical length of the central section portion to the vertical length ofthe cutout is 6% to 13%.
 4. The liquid crystal display of claim 1,wherein: the ratio of the vertical length of the two end sectionportions to the vertical length of the cutout is about 10% or less. 5.The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein: the second angle islarger than the first angle.
 6. The liquid crystal display of claim 5,wherein: the third angle is different from the first angle.
 7. Theliquid crystal display of claim 6, wherein: the third angle is largerthan the first angle.
 8. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein:a value obtained by multiplying the ratio of the vertical length of thecentral section portion to the vertical length of the cutout or theratio of the vertical length of the two end section portions to thevertical length of the cutout by the vertical length of the pixel isabout 5 μm or less.
 9. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein: ahorizontal length of each pixel unit cell is about 40 μm or less and avertical length thereof is about 120 μm or less.
 10. The liquid crystaldisplay of claim 9, wherein the plurality of pixel unit cells areprovided at a density of about 200 PPI (pixels per inch) or more. 11.The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein: the other one of thefirst and second field generating electrodes has a plate shape withessentially no cutouts.